My Fairy Godmonster (16 page)

Fairy Godmonster flies away without starting
her motor.

The cat howls.

I freeze in shock at the destruction below.
Lights go on outside.

Daria drags herself off the floor and rushes
to the window. She pushes me out of the way screaming, “Gazella!
Gazella!” Something slips from her hand out the window, but I can’t
see what it is in the dark.

She turns to me in frightened horror. “You
threw her out the window! I was coming

to apologize and you killed my cat!” She
runs from the room screeching, “Mommy! Mommy!”

“Wait, Daria. Your cat jumped out the
window.”

She’s gone.

I close the door and sit on the bed. What am
I going to do? I don’t think there is anything in Mom’s diary that
covers this.

I stare at the hot tub. No way can I hide
it.

I leave the room and close the door. Slide
down to the floor and wait. I can’t leave the bedroom unlocked
without protection. I hear lots of noise, but I don’t go
downstairs. What can I say? I hope Fairy Godmonster got away, but
she can’t help me now.

I cringe when Dad stomps down the hall. I’ve
never seen him so mad.

“What were you thinking?” he yells. “Why
would you destroy the wedding decorations? The heart can never be
fixed in time!”

“What are you talking about?”

He shoves the key to the attic into my
hand.

“I found this on the ground outside. Near the
heart.”

“I don’t know how it got there. I lost it
this morning,” I say.

“Daria says you threw her cat from the
window!”

I stand, furious. “I didn’t! I tried to catch
her!”

“Were you trying to blame the cat for the
destruction?”

“One cat couldn’t do that much damage, no
matter how big she is!” I yell back.

“Luckily, the cat is unharmed.”

“Dad, how can you think I would throw a cat
out a window or ruin David’s wedding?”

He still doesn’t look into my eyes.

My heart turns to stone. “Dad, look at me! I
never lie to you.”

He says, “There’s no other explanation. We
saw no animal tracks. Everyone else was in bed.”

I scream, “Daria wasn’t in bed!”

“She’s a child.”

“She was sneaking into my room in the middle
of the night.”

He scowls. “It’s obvious that you don’t like
your future in-laws.”

“I love Claire. Her dad’s okay. You don’t
know what it’s been like since you left. I worked day and night. I
had no help, except with the horses. David was too busy with late
shipments and was gone. John had to study for exams and Claire’s
mom kept her busy running errands.”

He interrupts, “I was hoping you would grow
out of your melodramatic stage, Winifred.”

“I’m not being melodramatic. Daria stalked
me. Her stupid cat got hair on everything. She even spit up on
me.”

“Daria said you left a water trap over your
door. Why would you do that?”

He’d never believe the truth. “I needed
privacy.”

“Who destroyed the heart? I don’t understand
any of this. I have no other choice but to ground you.”

I can’t believe this is happening. “If I did
this horrible thing you are accusing me of, how did I get back up
here with everyone downstairs?”

He shakes his head, his face gray with
tension. “I’m asking you to remain in the attic until the wedding.
Your meals will be brought up to you. You can be at the rehearsal
and that’s all. When we go to the rehearsal dinner at the
restaurant in Salem, I want you to stay home.”

I stare at Dad, mortified.

“Dad, do you know how embarrassing this will
be for me?”

“You should have thought of that before you
set the trap.”

“I was protecting myself. Did you know Daria
tripped me and that’s why I fell on the porch?”

“What? Why would she do such a thing?” asks
Dad.

“Ask her. Better yet, ask Scott. He saw her
do it.”

Dad jaw tightens. “For the safety of all
concerned, I’d like you to stay in your room, except for using the
bathroom. Don’t make me lock you in.”

“What about the horses?”

“I’ll take care of them. Two days without
exercise won’t hurt.” He turns away.

“Dad, please don’t do this,” I plead.

“Don’t make this any harder than it is,
Winifred.”

“Mom would have believed me. Did you know she
left me a diary?”

Dad pales.

“What?”

“A book that explains her life, her beliefs,
how she faced possible death during childbirth.”

He sags.

“Thanks for telling me, Dad.”

“I’m not up to your sarcasm tonight or any
more discussion. I’m sorry. We’ll talk about your mother after the
wedding. Tomorrow will be a circus. I can’t worry about you.
Please, stay in your room.”

He turns away and slumps down the hall.

Stunned, I can barely stagger into my room. I
lock myself in and crash onto the bed.

I’m alone, a virtual prisoner in the empty
silence. It’s unbearable without Fairy Godmonster. Why isn’t she
here? I need her more than ever. Tears spill down my face.

My heart splits wide open.

Chapter 24: Dead End - Prisoner

Sleep is impossible with the anger,
frustration, and grief that swarm through me. I get Mom’s diary,
but the words blur and I put it away, staring into the
darkness.

When dawn peeks over the windowsill, even its
pink beauty doesn’t wash away the emptiness inside.

Two hours later, I hear David and John
talking below my window. I peek over the sill and swallow the lump
in my throat when I see them dragging the smashed wedding heart
away in pieces. I choke up and turn away.

There’s a knock on my door.

“Go away.”

“Breakfast, Princess in the tower,” says
Scott.

“
Just a minute.”

I peer into the mirror. A wild girl stares
back at me. Messy hair, red eyes and a red scab on my white face.
“You can’t come in,” I gasp.

“Since when don’t you want to eat?” Scott
says cheerfully.

I unlock the door, open it a crack and hide
behind it. He can’t see me like this. Ever.

“Please push it through the door.”

“You okay?”

“Not really.”

Scott slips the tray into the room. “Can we
talk?”

“If you stay on that side of the door.”

“I know you didn’t do it,” he says.

“Too bad my dad doesn’t.”

“I don’t think he believes Daria. He doesn’t
know what else to do. Those are David’s in-laws and his
guests.”

And I’m his daughter. “He doesn’t have to
make me stay up here.”

“I told him I saw Daria trip you. He’s pretty
upset.”

I sniff, “How’s David?”

“Disappointed, but holding up.”

Scott continues, “Only a few plants were
destroyed. David’s replacing those. There isn’t time to rebuild the
heart. Claire wants to get married in front of the lilac tree
anyway. She’s going to pretend the heart is there. Mrs. Dudley
wants to rent a gazebo, but Claire refuses to change anything.”

I can’t talk.

“Win, you okay?”

“Yeah,” I croak.

“Man, you wouldn’t believe all the catering
people running around. Setting up tents, chairs, even a fountain.
The Dudley’s have gone all out.”

“I’m glad I’m stuck in here.”

“I could keep you company.”

“No!” I stare at the stupid hot tub. “I mean,
thanks Scott. I didn’t sleep last night and need some rest.”

“Want me to get you for the rehearsal? It’s
at four.”

“Sure. Could you send Claire up?”

“Will do.”

I hear him whistle down the hall. When did he
get so happy? I’m miserable. I stuff down the bacon and eggs only
because I’m light-headed. They taste like rubber.

Where is Fairy Godmonster and why doesn’t she
show up and fix everything? My gut twists in pain. What if she
doesn’t come back?

Claire comes up a few minutes later and
knocks on the door.

”Can I come in?” she asks.

“I’ll come out.” I close the door behind me.
Hiding the hot tub is making me nuts.

Claire takes one look at me and enfolds me in
her arms.

“I’m so sorry, Winifred. I know you’re
innocent. You would never do such a thing.

Besides, you’re such a bit of a thing, you
couldn’t possibly destroy anything that large.”

“I’m sorry the garden won’t be the same.”

“Getting married is the most important
thing.”

“I guess. Do me a favor?”

“If I can.”

“I need to use the bathroom. Could you stay
outside my door? I don’t want anyone to go in there.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

I hurry down the hall, use the facilities and
return. I scratch the itching wound on my face.

“I’m sorry about the cut on your face,” says
Claire. “I have some makeup that will cover it up for the
wedding.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you want to talk about what happened last
night?” she asks.

“Daria tried to sneak into my room. I put a
water booby trap over the door to keep her out after I lost the key
yesterday.”

Claire frowns. “What key?”

I take it out of the door and hand it to
her.

“Daria had this yesterday,” Claire says,
returning the key to me.

“When?” I ask.

“I saw her on the front porch with it. How do
you suppose the key got into the garden?”

“I think Daria threw it out my window when
she ran to save her cat.”

Claire frowns. “Jealous brat. She’s always
been like that when someone has something she wants.”

“She’s rich. What do I have?” I ask.

Claire frowns. “A dad that pays attention to
you.”

I think about this. I can
see what Claire means, but
it’s hard to
feel sorry for Daria.

“Maybe that’s why she tripped me,” I murmur.
I cover my mouth. Oops. I didn’t mean to let that slip.

“What!” Claire looks shocked. “Say that
again.”

“Daria tripped me when I ran out to see
Dad.”

“That’s horrible. I’m so sorry.” She touches
my face, tears in her eyes. “You’ll have a scar. My father is going
to hear about what she did and set this right. If I ever speak to
him again.”

“What happened?”

“He refuses to bring my birth mother to the
wedding.”

“Well, he has to live with your mom.”

“I know.”

“Besides,” I say, “you can meet with her
after you get back from your honeymoon. There’ll be time then to
sort things out between you.”

“I guess that’s really better. I’m not sure
how I would react to seeing her,” she says. “I almost forgot.” She
takes a box from her pocket. “For my maid-of-honor.”

“I haven’t done a thing to help you.”

“
You’ve done more work than
all of us put together.”

“I mean to help you, personally.”

“Don’t worry about it. Mom has taken over –
as usual. She’d just push you out of the way. Here. This is for you
to wear tomorrow. And to keep.”

I open the lid. Sitting on black velvet is a
delicate gold chain with a very cool, oval-shaped blue stone
hanging in the middle. Lying next to it are matching earrings.

“They’re aquamarines, your birthstone. They
match your beautiful eyes.”

“Thank you, Claire,” I manage to say.
“They’re awesome.”

“I’m sorry I can’t stay longer. We have to
pick up my matron-of-honor at the airport.”

I sigh. “See you later.” I watch her walk
down the hall. Returning to my room, I lock myself in and wander to
the window. The garden sparkles in the sunshine like nothing ever
happened. But it did.

I miss Fairy Godmonster. It’s like a hole in
the room with her gone. Will she come back? I climb into bed and
fall into a restless sleep. It seems like a minute later when I
hear Dad knocking on the door.

“Winifred, time for rehearsal,” he says.

“Okay.” I drag out of bed.

“Win. We really
need to talk.”

I choke up. “I can’t talk now. Not if you
want me to get through the rehearsal. I’ll come down in a minute.
By myself.”

“Suit yourself.”

I change my crumpled clothes for jeans and a
t-shirt and peek out the door. The hall is empty. I lock the
door.

The house is strangely
silent as
I come down the stairs. I walk
out the kitchen door and see poles and a huge white tent lying on
the ground to the right. Gobs of people are running around setting
it up, carrying chairs, tables and boxes.

I turn left, to the garden. Hoping Fairy
Godmonster is hiding nearby, I scan the bushes. Nothing.

Entering the garden, I notice that David did
a great job of fixing the mess. I force myself to take one step
after the other instead of running back up to my room.

John smiles and takes my hand. “Be strong,”
he whispers in my ear.

Scott winks and doesn’t even look at my
cheek. Only into my eyes. “Hi,” he says.

My heart lurches to my throat and I can’t
speak.

Daria sees my wound and looks away.

Mr. and Mrs. Dudley, David and Dad are
talking with our minister, Mr. Hawkins, a chubby man with dimples
and old-fashioned clothes.

Claire hurries toward me. “You okay?”

I nod, unable to speak.

“Come, I want you to meet my matron-of-honor
and her family.” She takes my hand and pulls me toward a tall,
pretty brunette.

“
Maggie, this is my new
sister, Winifred.”

Maggie smiles and takes my hand. “Hello. I
understand you’re quite a horsewoman.”

I blush. “Thanks. Nice to meet you.”

She touches a man on the back who is even
taller than she is. He carries a small boy in his arms. “This is my
husband, Joseph, and our son, Joey.”

Joey is about three and so cute that you want
to squish him. He clutches the ring pillow.